Gentle Giants Dog Food Review – Full Analysis & Breakdown
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Gentle Giants Recipes Ratings
Rating:
In this article we will be going over the Gentle Giants dog food review and we will be breaking down our rating.
Gentle Giant’s hard food formula earned one of our top review ratings of 5 stars.
Finding the best dog food can be a challenge. It can be easy to get overwhelmed after just one stroll through the pet food aisle. How can you pick one out of the many possibilities available when so many brands claim to be the best? That’s why we’re here, we want to make this whole process easier for you.
We simplify and streamline the entire process for you. In order for you to understand what is a good source/formula and what is not, we analyze the food formulas, read reviews and test out hundreds of various brands, and determine what is good and what is not so good.
Ready to learn more about the Gentle Giants dog food review?
Let’s go!
Who Makes Gentle Giants Dog Food
The founder and president of Gentle Giants Dog and Puppy Food is Burt Ward, The all-natural dog food was developed by the same Burt Ward, who played Robin on Batman. Burt and his wife Tracy have also help over 15,000 dogs through rescue and adoption.
Gentle Giants includes simple ingredients that are sourced with quality in mind and is made in the United States.
How We Evaluated the Gentle Giants Dog Food & What We Look At
- We examine what is inside the food, the active ingredients. We look at if these ingredients are good, bad, have fillers or anything else
- We consult with our trusted veterinarians and canine nutritionists for their feedback, opinions, and everything in between.
- We give our dogs the food and/or we talk and read from dog owners who feed/have fed their dog the current food
- We read what others say and listen to their opinions and feedback.
Recipe and Label Analysis
First we want to break down the Gentle Giants ingredients. We want to break down what is actually inside the formula.
Ingredients:
Chicken meal, pearled barley, brown rice, oatmeal, peas, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), natural poultry flavor, whole flaxseeds, menhaden fish meal, dried yeast, dried kelp meal, dried egg product, salt, potassium chloride, choline chloride, sweet potatoes, carrots, spinach, New Zealand green mussel, pumpkin, cranberries, blueberries, apples, chicory, ascorbic acid (source of vitamin C), vitamin E supplement, taurine, ferrous sulfate, zinc sulfate, zinc methionine complex, copper sulfate, copper lysine complex, manganese sulfate, manganese methionine complex, beta carotene, Yucca schidigera extract, niacin supplement, vitamin A supplement, calcium pantothenate, dried Enterococcus faecium fermentation product, dried Lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product, dried Lactobacillus casei fermentation product, dried Lactobacillus plantarum fermentation product, biotin, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin supplement, pyridoxine hydrochloride, vitamin B12 supplement, vitamin D3 supplement, folic acid, sodium selenite, calcium iodate, cobalt carbonate, cobalt glucoheptonate, mixed tocopherols and rosemary extract
Key Features:
Guaranteed Analysis:
- Calories: 3,323 kcal/kg, 358 kcal/cup
- Crude protein: 22% min
- Crude fat: 9% min
- Fiber: 4%
- Moisture: 10%
- Well balanced formula
- Tons of happy customers
- Jacktra pet parent employees tested, loved & approved
- Super Completive Price
Ingredient Breakdown & Analysis
We want you to fully understand and be able to read the label, so we will break down what these main ingredients are, the benefits (or cons) of them, and everything in between. Keep in mind that ingredients are placed on labels in order of their weight prior to processing, with the first ingredient being the primary ingredient and so on (the second one is, the second main ingredient, etc.)
Chicken Meal: As a meat concentration, chicken meal has roughly 300% more protein than normal chicken. This is because meat meal is a dry by-product of the cooking procedure and is rendered. Think of rendering in a way that stew is made (but not the overcooked part – stew is overcooked on purpose.) When rendering, you start with a stew of beef, simmer the liquid out, then bake the leftovers, and you end up with a beef meal or a highly concentrated protein powder. This is the same process.
Also, note the fact that a whole chicken has 18% protein and 70% water. However, the rendered chicken meal has a remarkable 65% protein content and only 10% water. That’s over 3X more protein than whole chicken! Since chicken meal is highly concentrated in protein, you will find many lean complex carbs following it. Too much protein is not good for your dogs health, and your dog will be getting tons of protein from the chicken meal.
Pearled Barley is the second ingredient. The starchy carbohydrate barley contains fiber and other beneficial ingredients. The nutritional benefit of this grain to a dog includes energy, which is essential for your dog well being and it acts as a natural laxative to your dog’s digestive system and can ease discomfort due to constipation.
Brown rice, a complex carbohydrate that is usually simple to digest once cooked, is the third ingredient. A much healthier option as opposed to potatoes (a simple carb), brown rice helps digestion and is an excellent source of vitamins and minerals.
Oatmeal, a whole-grain product prepared from coarsely ground oats, is the fourth ingredient. Oatmeal is naturally high in dietary fiber, B vitamins, and is gluten-free. These nutritional benefits are ideal for you dog to help with their nutritional needs. Oatmeal also contains linoleic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid that supports the health of your dogs’ skin.
Peas are included in the fifth ingredient. A good source of carbs is peas. And like all legumes, they’re rich in natural fiber. They are also high in protein. Lutein, an antioxidant beneficial for skin, heart, and eye health, is also found in peas.
Chicken fat is the following ingredient. When chicken is rendered, which is done similarly to cooking soup (in which the fat is skimmed from the top of the liquid,) chicken fat is obtained. Chicken fat is a fantastic source of linoleic acid, a crucial fatty acid for skin and coat, growth, and a strong immune system. Chicken fat offers a flavor characteristic that is typically favored by both dogs and cats when compared to other fats.
The next few ingredients include poultry Flavor, Whole Flaxseeds, Menhaden Fish Meal, Dried Yeast, Dried Kelp Meal, Dried Egg. All of these superfoods and herbs are really beneficial to your dog. Your dog will look wonderful and feel even better if you give them vitamins and antitoxins.
From here there are some more ingredients, but in all likelihood, these ingredients that far down on the list (excluding supplements) usually have very little impact on the food itself, since there is a very small amount of this in the formula.
With a few notable exceptions…
We a little down the ingredient line, we fin flaxseed, one of the best plant sources of beneficial omega-3 fatty acids, after the natural flavor of fowl. Flax seeds is a great source of soluble fiber. Flaxseed provides roughly 19% protein, which is also something to be aware of.
Dried yeast can help strengthen the immune system and deter fleas. Yeast components, according to some, may cause allergies. This might be true, but only if your dog is allergic to the yeast directly (as with all allergies).
If your dog has a specific allergy yeast, you should speak to your vet.
Next, inulin, a starch-like substance made up of repeating units of carbohydrates and present in some roots and tubers, is abundant in chicory. Inulin is a naturally occurring source of soluble dietary fiber and a prebiotic that helps dogs’ digestive tracts grow healthy bacteria.
Next, we have taurine, an amino acid linked to heart health and function. Even though taurine is not often thought of as being required for dogs, it has been found that some dogs are lacking in this vital nutrient, so it being here is a great benefit.
Nutrient Analysis
Gentle Giants Dog Food is a top dog food formula in the market based solely on its ingredients.
It is loaded with good, clean, beneficial ingredients from lean protein to healthy carbs and other vitamins and minerals to help maintain your dogs health.
The Good:
- Made with 100% organically-certified fruits and vegetables and cage-free, antibiotic, and hormone-free chicken.
- Real raw nutrition in the convenience of patties that have been freeze-dried; consume as is or rehydrate with water.
- Never contains grains, gluten, fillers, artificial preservatives, or colorings; created to mimic a dog’s natural diet.
- Probiotics are added to complete and balanced nutrition to promote healthy digestion—ideal for dogs with sensitive stomachs.
- Made with pride in the USA from ingredients that have been ethically sourced from reliable vendors.
- Well-balanced with healthy proteins, fat, carbs & vitamin and minerals
- Made from twelve unaltered whole fruits and vegetables, including beets, blueberries, cranberries, and apples.
- Prebiotics and probiotic supplements improve digestion and aid in food absorption.
- The best possible health is ensured by vitamins and antioxidants including vitamin A, vitamin B12, and taurine.
The Bad:
- Although the price is very competitive, we have seen a slight increase happening (it is still a very good price per bag.)
Around the Community
The community around Amazon, Petco & Chewy absolutely loves the Gentle Giants dog food.
With over 5,000 positive reviews on these sites, people are big fans. There are not many negative reviews as well. some of the negative reviews we found that was coming up a lot were, the taste (dog didn’t want to eat the blend), which is usually one of the biggest bad reviews we see in the industry, and price increases (Gentle Giant price per bag is less than $1.40 per LB, which is still some of the best deals you will find. good deal.)
We believe there are not many better options out there.
Our Rating of Gentle Giants Dog Food
Here’s How To Buy Gentle Giants Dog Food Today
Gentle Giants Natural Dog Food Salmon Feast – Flavor Option
Another option is the salmon meal. The major component of this grain-free food of course is salmon. Like the chicken recipe, this formula includes Salmon Meal as its main source of protein. It is also loaded with fruits and 16 different vegetables, all of which are rich in vitamins, antioxidants, and nutrients. Fat makes up 10%, and protein is 24%. It is suitable for all breeds and life stages, from puppies to seniors, and contains glucosamine as well.
The main carbohydrate included here is potatoes, and although it is not sweet potatoes, the formula is still very good.
Gentle Giants Canned Dog Food – Grain-Free Chicken
This canned food can be served as a whole meal, combined with kibble, or given as a healthy treat. It is grain-free and 90% chicken, making it ideal for dogs with grain allergies or sensitive stomach issues. Eight different fruits and vegetables, including dandelion greens to help aid with liver and digestive health, are included in this formula. Glucosamine and chondroitin from other veggies are also included here to aid with joint health.
This mixture is perfect for all breeds, sizes, and life phases, from young puppies to elderly people.
Gentle Giants Dog Food Recall History
Through November 2022, all recalls involving Gentle Giant’s dog food are listed below (if they exist). We have found no recalls, which is great.
FAQ About Gentle Giants Dog Food
Is Gentle Giants made in China?
No, all of the raw pet food products sold by Gentle Giants are made in the USA.
Which types of dogs is Gentle Giants best suited for?
The two dry food formulas and canned food recipes are available from Gentle Giants are safe and effective for all life phases, from pups to seniors with a regular activity level, can benefit from the nutritional levels.
Is Gentle Giants dog food good for dogs with sensitive stomachs?
Gentle Giants all-natural dry food one main source of protein making it ideal for dogs of all sizes and with sensitive stomachs.
Is Gentle Giants gluten-free?
Gentle giants includes 1 ingredient that contains gluten and 2 ingredients that may contain gluten.
Conclusion
Gentle Giants is an excellent dog food choice. Given the many advantages included in the formula, it can be given to any dog regardless of there age and provides many health benefits.
We highly recommend the Gentle Giants Dog food due to the simple protein source, the healthy complex carbs, and the wide range of clean, high-quality ingredients.
That’s a wrap for our Gentle Giants dog food review. We hope you were able to learn some more info regarding our Gentle Giants dog food review. As always, we recommend you check out the other dog foods reviews we’ve examined and the brands we recommend!
